I presented my research on literary communities at the Graphs & Networks Conference 2025 at Università della Svizzera italiana in Mendrisio, Switzerland. This presentation explored the application of graph theory and network analysis to understand literary community formation and evolution.

Conference Context

The Graphs & Networks Conference brings together researchers from various disciplines who apply network analysis methods to complex systems. This interdisciplinary venue was ideal for presenting literary network analysis to a broader scientific community.

Research Overview

The study examined how literary communities in Saint Petersburg formed, evolved, and dissolved over a 20-year period (1999-2019) using graph-theoretic approaches applied to cultural data.

Network Analysis Methods

The research employed several network analysis techniques:

  • Community detection algorithms: Identifying clusters of closely connected literary actors
  • Centrality measures: Determining influential nodes in the literary network
  • Temporal network analysis: Tracking changes in community structure over time
  • Homophily analysis: Examining how similar actors tend to connect

Key Findings

The analysis revealed:

  • Distinct literary communities: Separate clusters based on genre, generation, and aesthetic preferences
  • Bridge figures: Individuals who connected different literary circles
  • Temporal dynamics: How communities merged, split, and reformed over time
  • Structural patterns: Common organizational principles in literary networks

Methodological Innovation

This work demonstrates how:

  • Graph theory can illuminate cultural phenomena
  • Literary data can be analyzed using network science methods
  • Temporal analysis reveals community evolution patterns
  • Interdisciplinary approaches enrich literary studies

Broader Implications

The research contributes to:

  • Understanding cultural network dynamics
  • Developing methods for analyzing literary communities
  • Bridging humanities and network science
  • Providing tools for cultural policy and literary history

The work showcases how computational methods can offer new insights into traditional humanities questions while respecting the complexity of cultural phenomena.